Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Former Union minister and BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi has arrived in Bangladesh to take charge as India’s new High Commissioner in Dhaka, becoming the first politician to be appointed to the post in the history of India-Bangladesh relations.
Trivedi entered Bangladesh through the Petrapole-Benapole land border on Friday and was received by Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe and Bangladeshi officials. Accompanied by his wife Mrinal Trivedi, he later travelled to Dhaka by road.
Speaking to reporters after crossing the border, Trivedi emphasised cooperation between the two neighbours.
“Just imagine how good it would be if a cricket team worked together in harmony. We will work together in sports, health, education and technology. For that, support from both sides is essential,” he said.
On bilateral issues, including border tensions and the “push-in” controversy, Trivedi said: “India and Bangladesh share the same sky, the same air, the same pain. I do not feel as though I have come to Bangladesh. Whatever is good for the 1.4 billion people of India and the 200 million people of Bangladesh, for these 1.6 billion people, is what will be done.”
His appointment was announced by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on April 27. He is expected to present his credentials to Bangladesh’s President next week before formally assuming office.
Trivedi succeeds career diplomat Pranay Kumar Verma, who served as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh since September 2022 and has now been appointed Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.
A five-time MP, Trivedi was born into a Gujarati family and earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his political career with the Congress, moved to the Janata Dal, became a founding general secretary of the Trinamool Congress in 1998 and joined the BJP in 2021. He has served as Union Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
Known for his fluency in Bengali and deep understanding of West Bengal politics, Trivedi takes charge at a time when India and Bangladesh are attempting to improve relations strained since the political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024.
Several bilateral issues remain unresolved, including concerns over illegal migration, border management, the proposed revival of consular-level talks and negotiations over the Ganga Water Treaty, which is due to expire in December 2026.
Before departing for Bangladesh, Trivedi visited Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata and said that India and Bangladesh continue to share common “dreams”. His appointment is being seen as a significant diplomatic move as both countries seek to stabilise and strengthen bilateral ties